Heat-wary coaches, teams kick off fall practice Monday

Ever wondered what it feels like to have pads on and play football?

In August?

In Missouri, a humidity capital of the United States?

Jackson football coach Carl Gross is as qualified as anyone on the subject. The dean of local football coaches enters his 14th year at the school and paints a less-than-glorious picture:

"Just put a pair of sweats on, go out for two and a half hours and get in about seven fist fights, then run ..."

It's a feeling football players in Missouri can expect over the next several weeks after practices begin Monday for their Sept. 6 season openers.

The entire menu of fall sports -- volleyball, girls tennis, boys soccer, cross country and football -- officially launches today.

While all but volleyball practice outside, football receives the closest scrutiny because of annual fatalities around the country.

In the past two years alone there have been seven heatstroke deaths, including the highly publicized death of Minnesota Vikings offensive lineman Kory Stringer last summer. In fact, according to a study by the University of North Carolina, heat-related and exercise-induced deaths in football outnumber accident-caused deaths, which have dropped markedly over the past 25 years. Nationwide there were 23 deaths among football players last year, eight due to injuries.

Most coaches are conscious of heat-related problems as a new mentality emerges in a macho sport.

"Most of us, when we grew up, you were a wuss if you wanted water," Central coach Lawrence Brookins said. "That really has changed."

Brookins said living in a lawsuit-conscious society has coaches protecting themselves and their players.

"Some of the things you might have gotten away with way back when, that just doesn't fly anymore," Brookins said.

Gross also grew up in a more rogue period, but has mellowed with age.

"I think the more you're around and older you are, the more you realize your ticket can be punched at any time -- what you don't want to do is speed it up," said Gross.

At Scott City, coach Jason Burkman will oversee his first practice Monday since he was hired this spring. He gets assistance from Matt Holder of Mid-America Rehab, who's been educating players on hydration, among other conditioning issues.

"It's been real nice to have him around. It's a luxury I've never had," said Burkman, the coach at Piggott, Ark., the past four years.

With temperatures expected to be near 90 most of the week, coaches throughout the area say they'll keep a close eye on players while trying to get them in physical condition for a demanding season. If players aren't in good enough condition entering games, they run the increased chance of injury.

"That's somebody's kid, and we've got to take good care of them," Gross said, "But do we want to push them? You bet."

Living on the edge

Where's the line on how hard to push?

"I don't think anybody, especially at our level, has a perfect script or formula," Brookins said. "I think a lot of it just comes from your experience. You kind of just develop a feel for kids. I kind of keep my eye on some of the heavier, larger guys particularly, because they say they seem to be ones that succumb to that maybe just a little bit faster, not that other kids can't."

Brookins said players who are truly out of shape and unconditioned are also at risk.

"Throw on a black helmet -- of all colors -- and come out there at the pace we try to get them to practice at, those are the kids you're really scared for," Brookins said. "The one thing that I've noticed, the kids that really commit to your summer workout plan, they fly right through it. They don't even feel it."

Many area schools will try to avoid the heat of the day by practicing in the morning and evening until the start of school, but Central will opt for about a five-and-a-half hour block of time starting at 8 a.m. Lunch and air-conditioned classroom time for offense and defense provide an oasis from the heat.

The Missouri State High School Activities Association does not allow full-contract drills for the first three days. Brookins said his players, depending on the heat, may shed most of their equipment, which can weigh more than 20 pounds when saturated by sweat.

Central coaches will confer about players' conditions during a break period and might decide to cut a drill short or head inside early.

"It's just communication among the staff, just being aware of the temperatures and the players," Brookins said.

Chaffee coach Allan Horrell, beginning his fourth year, has a basic rule.

"I tell my coaches if they see a kid going down, get him out," he said. "Usually if you see one guy down, you might as well get them all out of there."

Horrell said heat forced the Red Devils to practice inside once last summer. Players walked through plays in the gymnasium and worked out in the weight room.

The MSHSAA also helps draw the line by forbidding outdoor practices when the heat index reaches 105.

Gross said he keeps closest watch on younger players who may not have done as much physical activity outside during the summer and who might be nervous or excited. He said he gives the final say to Rob Bunger and Randy Tingwall of HealthSouth.

"Whenever they think we need a break, they're in charge, we'll blow the whistle and take a break," Gross said. "We're not going to take any chances with the heat."

There's also another break for the players because of the calendar. Because practices begin in mid-August and the school year starts early, there are fewer two-a-days. Jackson will have just one week of those.

"The coaches would like to have a month of them," Gross said. "The players think it's good."

jbreer@semissourian.com

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